r/forkliftmechanics

I have been forklift field technician for 15 years, I am certech certified master technician for HYG, and a master technician for MCF. This is not me looking for a job or hiring, but something of a brainstorming session and peer feedback.

I have always been an outspoken critic of forklift dealerships, and I have always been pro-worker and pro union. I never worked for a union, but I clearly saw the results of higher pay and results. Every forklift dealership I have interacted with on the east coast and Midwest is all structured the same. Hourly pay, overtime available, and usually a shitty bonus at the end of the year. Pay scale increase based on some amorphous data based off what the managers feel like.

Our options have long been, jump from dealer to dealer for pay raises, or go independent which can be scary.

I have long wanted to switch to independent with the goal of expanding to having technicians, keeping the same pro worker energy I have always had.

This is where I need some feedback. Obviously base starting pay varies based on area.

My general idea (based on rates in my area):

30/hr starting rate for 6 months.

After 6 months immediately jump to 35/hr.

After 6 months pay is increased 2-6% yearly based on easily trackable data such as safety, productivity, billable hours, and upselling. These increases will be objective to the data, not subjective.

I know this all sounds pretty standard. This is where I want to be different.

Each tech will receive 3% on parts/labor they write up and sell. So if you are dispatched to a job where you find the unit needs a new alternator and they say get it done. The tech will keep 3% of the total invoice.

This is truly a method that I think would have kept me elated to work and engage.

Has anyone had an arrangement like this? How did it work for you?

Please discuss.

Ps, days of pizza parties are over. Unless everyone wants one. lol.

Recently, one of the Linde forklifts (Linde E16 EVO/386-02, 2024) at my job started going into creep mode if the seatbelt isn't plugged in. A mechanic that came by said that newer Linde forklifts have software updates, that are impossible to bypass, idk if i believe that, especially cause we have 2 linde models that are even newer, that dont require the seatbelt to be plugged for full speed, so i thought i'd ask here.

Have any of you experienced the same issue or related issues? Does anyone know a fix/bypass?

Ps. simply keeping the seatbelt in doesnt work, as it resets the sensor everytime the door is opened, or the forklift is shut off.

Sc5700:Trying to bypass the seatbelt switch but simply wiring the two wires together yields it inop, is there a resistor or something in the switch that alters voltage or something? If it was simply bridging the two wires together then bypassing the switch should’ve worked, this is a personal lift and I just wanna ride around without my seatbelt

Warehouse Mgr here, I have a quote for a cheaper Yale. Hours on unit is a bit alarming. Could someone take a look at a quote at the quote I have and what’s been replaced to see if this would be a decent unit. We use high rise order pickers(Crowns) mainly. Forklift would be used maybe 2-3 hours a week.

Hey all. I'm here, hat in hand. I am looking for a replacement rad for a very old White WC 60, with a Continental G163 engine. Has anyone re-cored one of these, or know of where i could find a replacement? I have scoured online sources, and these things are like finding a needle in a giant field of haystack. I see plenty of replacement for welders using the same engine, but nothing for the forklift. They use the same rad, but the layout is different.

I have a code 448, replace everything the code is gone but it still dragging.